Distinguished Alumni - 2018
Photo: Everett Community College 2018 Distinguished Alumni Mary Schoenfeldt and Henry Robinett.
Everett Community College has selected real estate developer Henry Robinett and emergency management consultant Mary Schoenfeldt as the college’s 2018 Distinguished Alumni.
The two were honored at a reception on campus June 15, 2018.
Robinett graduated from Lake Stevens High School in 1948 and promptly began attending Everett Junior College. After graduating from EJC in 1950, Robinett embarked on a 20-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, eventually retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1970. After completing his third year of college, the Marine Corps picked up the tab for his fourth year and sent him to school at the University of Omaha, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1961.
Over the years, he has worked tirelessly to bring jobs and economic development to Snohomish County. His community involvement includes the directorship of the United Way of Snohomish County, Everett Chamber of Commerce, Snohomish County Economic Development Council, Washington Association of Realtors, USO Puget Sound Area, Snohomish Lions Club, General Hospital Foundation, Snohomish County Affordable Housing Group and participation in many more community organizations.
In addition, he is a longtime supporter of the EvCC Foundation, believing strongly in giving back to the community and the school that gave him his start.
Schoenfeldt is an internationally known expert in the field of emergency management, with a special emphasis in school safety. She attended EvCC and Western Washington University, graduating from WWU in 1979 with a bachelor of applied science degree in human services. She continued her education at Nixon University, where she earned her master’s and doctorate degrees.
Schoenfeldt’s work has included public education in Everett’s Office of Emergency Management, and she has been the CEO of Schoenfeldt and Associates since 1990. She works nationwide as a subject matter expert and consultant for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Emergency Management Institute and the U. S. Department of Education, among others. In 2013, she was inducted into the International Network of Women in Emergency Management Hall of Fame.
Her goal is to help schools and communities prepare for emergencies in a proactive manner, so that a crisis can be avoided rather than managed after the fact. She is a sought-after speaker and gives back to her community as a member of the Rotary Club of Everett-Port Gardner and board member of Green Cross Academy of Traumatology.
The distinguished alumni award is the highest honor given to Everett Community College and Everett Junior College alumni.
Past recipients include businessman Tom Gaffney, city of Everett executive administrator Deborah Wright, Everett Police Chief Kathy Atwood, Everett Firefighter Gary Parks, auto dealer Dwayne Lane, entertainer Stan Boreson, business owners Doug and Barbara Allan, former Herald publisher Larry Hanson, healthcare executive Kim Williams, Dr. William Hummel and Doris Hummel, former Washington state Sen. Jean Berkey and businessmen Joe Cooper and Bill Fulton.